Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy

Sharing stories to celebrate our diversity

• The Biggest Mistake of Our Lives?

  by Fox_BridgeBuilder, over 1 year ago

  My husband and I have lived in Glen Morris for eleven years now. We were both raised in very small towns elsewhere in Ontario, moved to Hespeler when we got married, then moved to Glen Morris for peace and quiet and to get away from suburbia. The first couple of years were excellent. I remember my husband commenting to co-workers how much I was thriving.

  Over the years our experience (as well as at least two of our neighbours) has drastically gone downhill to the point where if we could move tomorrow, we would absolutely jump at the chance. Moving... Continue reading

  My husband and I have lived in Glen Morris for eleven years now. We were both raised in very small towns elsewhere in Ontario, moved to Hespeler when we got married, then moved to Glen Morris for peace and quiet and to get away from suburbia. The first couple of years were excellent. I remember my husband commenting to co-workers how much I was thriving.

  Over the years our experience (as well as at least two of our neighbours) has drastically gone downhill to the point where if we could move tomorrow, we would absolutely jump at the chance. Moving here has turned out to be one of the biggest mistakes of our lives.

  Our experience in Glen Morris? Let’s see … our incredibly rude, former neighbour now runs the only restaurant in town. Glen Morris Lion’s Club meets there so joining that community group is out of the question. Our former minister (whom we thought was a friend) took selfies in the washroom at my Dad’s funeral and posted them on Facebook. After being called out for it twice and subsequently fired, she continues to bad mouth me to an unknown number of people. We don’t go to any community events because that bully is at most of them.

  Next up and by far our biggest issue – the traffic. When the police station was still in downtown Paris, we saw a regular police presence with radar speed traps but since they moved we hardly see them anymore. Our street – Glen Morris Road West – has gotten completely ridiculous with traffic, speeders, tractor trailers, dump trucks, and people passing in mindless & dangerous situations. Two summers ago a tandem dump truck almost didn’t stop for a school bus letting students off. It is honestly an accident waiting to happen – especially with new families with very young children joining the community. We did the whole Brant Safe Streets spiel, we have contacted several entities – the police, by-law, our local councilwoman – on numerous occasions to see about getting digital speed signs like they have on East River Road or photo radar cameras. We asked about signs indicating no use of engine brakes. To try and block the traffic noise we have even gone to great personal expense over the past five or six years to first plant trees, then put up a fence along the road, and last we had renovations done on our home to improve the insulation and windows. NOTHING has worked. We both work from home and there are days when we can hardly stand to be in our own home, can’t have the windows open, and even have gone to the extent of wearing noise cancelling headphones INSIDE the house just for peace and the ability to concentrate. We are left feeling like second-class citizens, living on the wrong side of the river. ESPECIALLY when our tax dollars are used for paving pathways in a park that hardly anyone uses (on Brook St.) and a new community center with a traffic by-pass for people on Princess Street. A by-pass for ALL the traffic that goes past our home and still once more our concerns are overlooked and/or ignored. WHY CAN WE NOT HAVE TWO PERMANENT DIGITAL SPEED SIGNS – ONE AT THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE AND THE OTHER COMING INTO TOWN AS THE SPEED CHANGES FROM 80 TO 60? You can’t honestly tell me they are too expensive when all this other work is/has been approved.

  We have not felt inclusion, neither of us are thriving. Ideas on how we can make Brant a more welcoming and equitable place? Perhaps pay attention to residents’ concerns and treat all people in town the same regardless of where they live? When there are digital speed signs on the other side of the river and we virtually BEG multiple times to several people for the same as what they have … and we get no action, no change, just words. That is absolutely not equitable.

• Back to the Basics - RESPECT and EQUITY for ALL RESIDENTS

  by ABowden, over 1 year ago

  By creating this project and platform, I believe it is highlighting differences, segregation and focusing on further labelling of specific groups.

  How about highlighting the fact that we are all the SAME ?

  1st and foremost HUMAN BEINGS that ALL deserve the same respect and equity.

  We already have laws, by-laws, policies that should address equality for ALL RESIDENTS,

  but,

  they have to be enforced to make everyone accountable for their actions.

  
  

  As a Municipality in Ontario, Brant County ALREADY must follow (just to name a few):

  - the Municipal ACT (Role of Council, Councillors and Staff)

  - this already... Continue reading

  By creating this project and platform, I believe it is highlighting differences, segregation and focusing on further labelling of specific groups.

  How about highlighting the fact that we are all the SAME ?

  1st and foremost HUMAN BEINGS that ALL deserve the same respect and equity.

  We already have laws, by-laws, policies that should address equality for ALL RESIDENTS,

  but,

  they have to be enforced to make everyone accountable for their actions.

  
  

  As a Municipality in Ontario, Brant County ALREADY must follow (just to name a few):

  - the Municipal ACT (Role of Council, Councillors and Staff)

  - this already includes:

  - provide clear policy decisions and directions
  - develop policies in an open and consistent manner
  - adopt policies that complement and reinforce staff efforts to improve administrative operations

  - The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Municipalities, like other governments, must comply with the protections afforded to Canadian civil liberties under the Charter. The whole purpose of the Charter is to protect citizens’ rights.

  - Brant County’s existing signing and agreeing of the “Inclusion Charter” May 29/2024.

  - Procedural Restrictions: Even though a municipality and its council may have the power to do something, it must follow required procedures to validly act. Hearings must be held in accordance with the rules. Notices must be given as specified. Council meetings must be properly constituted and decisions made in public session. A failure to follow proper process can defeat an otherwise valid exercise of jurisdiction. Often these procedural requirements are found in other legislation, such as The Planning Act

  Everyone has their own story of discrimination and inequality, usually by people of perceived power and here is mine,

  BUT,

  I don't think a separate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy be made up for me :

  I am a human being first,

  a Canadian,

  a Brant County taxpayer,

  (a retired professional, female, and white - for reference only and should have no bearing on how I am treated)

  Despite my diverse roles, I have experienced numerous negative interactions with the County, including many subjective and biased scenarios rather than supported by facts:

  1.Threats of Fines: My family and I were threatened with fines of up to $10,000 twice. They were based on inaccurate, subjective info, despite existing County Bylaws that did not support the accusation and no evidence could be provided otherwise.

  2.Permits and Denials: We have had two permit applications denied without merit or concrete bylaws to support, dependent only on County personnel’s subjective views and also 2 permits that were delayed due to inconsistent information provided by the County.

  3.Blocked Communication: Emails to the CAO, the Mayor and a Councillor have been blocked, which hinders my ability to communicate with the County as well as voicemails going unanswered. Contacted Brant County IT after the initial blocks and somehow it was “fixed” in order to become a speaker at Council meetings. Presently, I am blocked again. This website and project was also unavailable to my registered account for 1 week.

  4.Unfair Labels: I have been labeled as an Activist while advocating for my community’s safety.

  5.Dismissive Comments: I was told I am "just a housewife," by Management, dismissing any of my past work or life qualifications and contributions.

  6.Disrespectful Interactions: I have encountered disrespectful conversations and meetings. “Shut her down”, “info ends up in garbage”, accused of spreading misinformation when Brant County was caught in a lie.

  7.Inequality: Brant County’s tax department sends letters / tax bills with the male name always listed first. When this issue was addressed with Brant County, the response given was that "it's just the way we've always done it." This outdated practice does not align with modern principles of equity and respect. By the way, my name starts with “A”, so it was not done alphabetically.

  8.Has my name been Flagged negatively by Brant County? Every recent interaction including lost mail, Council motions that were approved yet not moving forward, conversations forgotten, misrepresentation to Ombudsman of Ontario and Will Bouma’s office that Brant County is "working with me", lost freedom of information requests, changing deadlines so that my information can no longer be added to Council meetings, Petitions deemed as heresay, Council decisions made “in camera” (meaning off camera), I was requested to stop calling and emailing the County of Brant…

  These experiences indicate a significant problem with how Brant County presently handles RESIDENTS' communication, respect & equity internally, despite already having an existing code of conduct.

  Upon trying to enter a complaint, even Brant County’s Integrity Commissioner said no one has ever won against the Municipality…

  
  

  To address these concerns and bring about meaningful change in Brant County, several steps can be taken:

  1. Policy Review and Revision

  •Anti-Discrimination Policies: Implement stricter policies to ensure they adequately address and prevent discrimination and combat bias and hold people accountable.

  •Clear Guidelines: Establish clear guidelines on respectful communication and behavior towards ALL residents.

  2. Training and Education

  •Sensitivity and Awareness Training: Implement mandatory sensitivity and diversity training for all county officials and staff about the importance of equity and respect for ALL RESIDENTS.

  3. Improving Communication

  •Open Channels: Ensure all communication channels remain open and accessible to ALL RESIDENTS.

  •Feedback Mechanism: Create a transparent system for residents to provide feedback and report issues without fear of retribution or being blocked.

  4. Updating Practices

  •Documentation Procedures: Update practices such as listing names on property tax documents to reflect modern principles of equity.

  •Review Processes: Regularly review processes to ensure they are fair and just for EVERYONE

  5. Accountability and Transparency

  •Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of county practices and policies to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws.

  - Watch, listen, then Hold people accountable for their actions if contravening County practices and policies

  - "In Camera" (meaning off camera) meetings should ONLY be held if litigation matters involved (be transparent in discussions, motions, decisions)

  
  

  Taking these steps can help create a more respectful and inclusive environment in Brant County.

  It's essential to ensure that ALL RESIDENTS feel valued and heard, and that their concerns are addressed with seriousness and empathy.

  I hope this letter serves as a catalyst for positive change.

  Thank you for your attention to these matters.